Fuse device.



E. o. SCHWEHZER E Nil. CONRAD. FUSE DEVICE. APPLRCATWN FlLED DEC. 31.1914.

1 ,299,387. Patented Apr. 41, 19m.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.V

E. vO. SCHWEITZER N. 1. CONRAD.

FUSE DEVICE. APPLlcATloN FILED DEC.31.19\4.

Patent-ed Apr. l, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

EIJMUND O. SCHWEITZER AND NICHOLAS J. CONRAD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FUSE DEVICE.

h Speecation of Letters Patent.

' scription, reference beinghad to the accompanylng drawings', specification.

ur'invention relates to fuse devices, and especially to a type of fuse Vdevice particularly7 adapted for extra high potentials. v

forming a part of'this Prominent objects of the invention are toV provide a simple, practical, and efficient type 0r construction of fuse device of the kindspecified; to arrange for the advantageous operatlon of the device either upon a long continued moderate overload or a sudden -excessive overload; to arrange for the easy requipping of the deand quick relling or and generally to arvlce after operation,

range for the reassemblagev'and reconstruction of the device whenever necessary; to provide means which will aid and facilitate such operations; and to secure the foregoing and other desirable results in a simple and expeditious manner. e

In the accompanying drawings Figure'l is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of a fuse device embodying our invention; Fig. 2'is a cross section of on line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the same taken the lower portion of the device shown in` Figs. 1 and 2; ,Y

' Figs. 4 and 5 are cross sections taken on lines 4--4 and 5-5 respectively in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a device similar to the device shown in Figs.

1 to 5 inclusive after operation, and being connected together in process of being re-v filled, together with a tool for use in the separationand connection of the parts vfor the refilling or requipping operation; Fig. 7 is an elevation of said tool; Fig. 8 is a cross/section of the same on Fig. 6. Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, we show a fuse device comprising a tube 1 which is preferably1 of transparent insulatappngamn med December 31, 1914. serial No. mafias;

- resting upon shoulders 10,-1O

`2,where Ament toward the tube 1,. enough to Pateate'dnpni, 1919.

" ing material such for example as glass. At

the upper endof this tube l which is desirably cylindrical in shape, is secured a head2 which is preferably of metal, such for example as brassK` or copper. At the lower end of the-tube 1 1s a cap or fitting 3 also preferably made of metal such as brasseor copper.

he head 2 is constructed with a lower cylindrical portion 4 adapted to inclose the upper end' portion of the tube 1 and is also constructed with an upper cylindrical portion 5 of greater diameter than the lower portion 4,- which portion 5 provides a vfuse space or chamber 6. The head 2 is provided with a central bore or aperture 7 establishing an or cover for the head 2 and serves as avent member to permit the chamber 6 to be vented ing material is `located between the chamber Y the interior of the tube 1, preferably formed on the interior of the tubular portion 4 of the head by said disk 9 is held against movebut fits looselyv permit its beingmoved away from the tube 1. AA centrally arranged terminal post or member 12 is located at the upper end of the tube 1 and passes through the insulating disk 9, so that the upper end thereof enters the' chamber 6. fuse member 14, preferably in the form of a tinehwire of steel or similar high resistance and strong material extends across the mouth or bore 7 and is secured at its op osite ends by screws 15-15 in contact with t e head 2. This fuse member or wire 14 passes through a hole in the terminal post o r member/'12. A screw 16 is 6 and fitted into a screw threaded socket at the` lbo fuses being preferably of fiat form as shown in F ig. 2. e lower ends of said fuses are soldered to the head of the screw 16 by; solder 19 which preferably softens at a comparatively low temperature. The upper (i .tube 1 and is endsof the fuses 18 pass through the lid or vent member 8 and are soldered to the top of the same by solder 20 of the ordinary hese flat faces 17-17 provide a considerably greater the screw 16 and the fuses 18 than the crosssectional areal of the fuses 18 themselves. rl`he diagonal position of the soldered connection between the fuses 18 and the screw 16 permits the solder when melted to run out by gravity from between ing to insure opening of the circuit upon slow rise of temperature. Within the tube 1 we provide suitable actuating mechanism, as for example a spring 21 having its lower end secured to the bottom cap 3 and having its upper end secured to the terminal 12, the .latter being connected with a funnel liquid director 23. As a matter of further and specific imroveinent the connection between the termi nal 12 and spring 21 comprises a socket inember24 having'a threaded socket adapted to receive the threaded lower endl 25 of the postor terminal 12, the spring 21 having its upper end conveniently passed through and secured to the lower portion 'of said threaded socket 24. These parts 24-25 form a rigid screw connection nwhich is however easily separable when the terminal 12 has been drawn down into the sleeve 1'. flexible conductor 26 extends preferably from the threaded socket 24 to the bottom of the secured to a screw 27. (Fig. 3) rIhe. tube 1 is preferably filled I in the cap 3.

extinguishing liquid,

with some suitable are j such for example as carbon tetra chlorid.

In the operation of the device an ordinary vcontinued overload will not overheat any ofy the fuses 14 or 18, but will soften the solder 19 securing the fuses 18 to` the screw 16. This will release said fuses from their connection with the screw '16, and cause strong Wire 14 to melt and permit the spring 21 to operate, drawingv the termina the disk 9 and so separating said terminal 12 quickly and substantially fnom the termihead 2 to which the .fuse 14 is secured.

annular portion of the In for example,

nal formed by the case of a sudden overload, as

on short circuit, the instantaneous heat ca. head of the screw 16 is quite pacity at the I high because of its being connected directly the fuse 14 that constructed las to permit ready ist , to vthe .moving terminal, as a result of which the main fuses 18 will blow and thus open the circuit and either release the directly or shunt so much current it will blow release the spring 21, causing the opening of the circuit by means of a Wide gap as before.

The lower end of the device involving the member/3 shown in Fig. 3, is desirably so assemblage and disassemblage of the device. but at the Sams time to make a perfectly tight lcsure through incase? area of Contact between the parts thus tendl shaped 22 by means of a cross piece l s12 through;`

spring 21 andl thereby l Fig. 3

member 3 provided with an annular member or plug 0r portion 30 which fits 28. The rim 30 is preferably provi an annular recess or slot eXibility or said end member 29 is screwed it will make a position,

By screwin 'member 3 spring 21 ductor 26 to screws 32 and 27,

readily connecte provided with compressibility so and the end of th the member 29 respectively, ber 29 may be easily detached taclied and the s ring and d and disconnected.

the member to unscrew an up the same, the member 3 .is conven a hexagonal 8 and an for the volatile liquid inside o f the device.

AS ODG COIlStI'uCllOIl We ShOW 1n the inend within the flange ded with 31 giving it more tight fit with g the end of andfthe member 29 with a hexagonal 'portions may,l bel portion 34, which said grasped by an ordinary tool.

Referring to Figs. 6, Vdevice somewhat similar Figs. 1 to, inclusive,

operated, and also show or requipping said device.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8' fuse arrangement, a "within cork tainer 42.,which is mounte the fuse being terminal post end to another termina director'. 22, lowerend to a at its upper rod 43- which latter is adapted to extend up to the vent memb upper end ment of said member filed by us April 18, 1912, for fuse devices,

is drawn downwar ormingY a wide gap, ed .against the lower director 22. 1n this there is, however, the to in the construction elusive, namely tween the parts and the' springshown in Fig. 6 as a ceive the threaded end of of the device'suit which has sin into Patent No. 1135548, dated Apri we show this general type of When'the fuse operates the liqui dly by a spring 21 separated from the upper the liquid being directfl the liquid Fig. 6 ferred terminal o construction of 'novel feature re of Figs. 1 to 5, 1nthel disconnectible joint associated joint being coupling member-24 having the threaded socket adapted to reliquid director and 21, said or rod 121 Wren ch or other that when tightly into 7 5 the the e flexible conby means of the endy memand again atiiexible conductor To per- 29 relative to d screw iently nut portion 33 nut 7 and 8, we show a to the one shown in the same having been f' a tool for refilling ,'.l` his device of has a somewhat dierent fuse 18a being located or other suitable holder'or cond` abovethc liqui soldered at its and l post or understood to be and be secured to the 1n application Serial the member terminal thereby No. 691,718, ce matured 113, 1915. structure. d director and This disconnectible socket is particularly valuable for purposes of refilling or renewit hasoperate ing the fuse device after adds very materially to he economy of It the d ioo .l is provided with fuse device because the blown fuse may be replaced by a fresh fuseat a triiing cost. As explained, when the fuse-device operates the spring 21 draws the terminal 12 with liquid director attached down into the sleeve 1.. The'pa'rts then are in a lpeculiarly inaccessible position for renewal. the screw joint so that the terminal l2 may beeasily separated xfrom the spring 21, so that anew fuse may be connected in place. To disconnect and connect the terminal 12 from and to the socket 24,l we provide a special tool which is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.v This toolcomprises a handle or operating rod which is fastened* to a hollow shank 46. vThe shank 46 is of an outer diameter which Awill easily slide within the' main sleeve l andhas an inner diameter, such that the stem 12 and connected parts may come within the shank. This shank is preferably made of a piece of tubing. It a' plurality of prongs or pins 47 at the lower edge. These prongs 47 are adapted to be forced into the upper surface of the liquid director 22, which, as previously explained, is firmly connected to the terminal 12 by the cross bar or pin 23.

hus, in order to disconnect the terminal 12 after the device has operated, the tool is inserted into the sleeve l, the prongs 47 are/ thrust into the -liquid director and the tool is4 then turned in the proper direction to unscrew the terminal l2 from the socket 24. Ater'the parts are unscrewed, the terminal and liquid director are withdrawn from' the sleeve l1. If lthe arts have been damaged by they operation ofthe fuse, a new terminal and director unit is provided with fuse attached. The prongs 47 the top of the liquid director 22 and the new unit 1s introduced into the sleeve 1 and screwed in place on the socket 24 by turning the handle 45.

The tool is Ashown in Fig. 6 as being used with a modified form of fuse device in which a cork 42 surrounds the fuse 18a, between jthe top of the terminal 12a and the upper rod or terminal 43. The tubular shank 46 encircles'the cork 4,2 and connected parts, and the prongs 47 engage the liquid director. In each case the tool is usedthe same way for unscrewing the used terminal and for connecting it after a new fuse is provided or for attaching a new unit tothe socket 24. l

. Thus in these yarious arrangements the fuse device may be refilled or requipp'ed at low cost and without removing the .lower cap from the tubular member 1.

It will be understood that changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is 1.- The combination of a metallic terminal having an opening, a supporting fuse of rel- We provide are stuck into member,

y ber,

atively low-capacity extending across said opening, a second terminal located in said opening and being'- secured to said fuse, other .fuses of relatlvely greater capacity secured to said second terminal, and means independent owfirst said terminal for connecting said other fuses in circuit.V w

2. The combination of a metallic head having a fuse chamber, said head also having an openingacross which a fuse is extended, a terminallocated indsaid opening secured to and supported by said fuse, a removable "ventlng member normally closing said fuse chamber, and fuses extended from said terminalto said venting member, said ventin member being electrically connected to saitf metallic head.

3. .The combination of a metallicA head having a fuse chamber, said headalso having an opening across which a fuse is extended, a terminalr located in said opening and secured to said fuse, a removable venting member normally closing said fuse chamber, and fuses extended from said terminal to said venting member, said latter fuses being secured to said terminal by low melting point solder, said venting member being electrically connected to said metallic head.

4. The combination of a metallic head having a fuse chamber, said head alsov having an opening across which a fuse is extended, ya terminallocated'in said opening and secured to said fuse, a removable venting member normally closing said fuse chamber, fuses extended from said terminal to said venting member, and a spring acting upon said terminal, said @venting member beilg electrically connected to said metallic 5. The combination of ya metallic head, having a fuse chamber, said head also having an opening across which a fuse is eX- tended, a terminal located in said opening a removable ventclosing said fuse from said terminal a spring acting upon insulating member and secured to said fuse, ing member normally chamber, fuses extended to-said venting member, said terminal, and an through which said terminal extends, said springbeing on one side and said fuses on the other, said venting member being electrically connected to said metallic head.

6. The combination of a tubular member provided at. one end with a fuse chamber, said chamber being externalto said tubular fuse terminals in lsaid fuse chamber, one of said .terminals being movable down intofthe tubular member and normally extending partially into said tubular memafuse between said terminals, a spring insaid tubular member, a detachable connection between said movable terminaland spring,'said detachable connection comprising a threaded socket and a threaded member adapted to fit therein,"said socket and Y' movable terminal has been moved out of thev member being readily detachable when the chamber down into the tubular member.

7. The combination of a tubular member between said terminal and spring and a 'liquid director in said tubular member secured to said terminal and serving to guide the saine in a tubular member, said connection being readily detachable when the movable terminal has been moved ont of the chamber and down into the tubular member. 8. The combination of a tubular member provided with external circuit terminals, a pair of internal fuse terminals, one of said in ternal terminals comprising a movable stud extending'into said tubular member, a fuse connected'between said stud and the other internal terminal, a spring in l nected to said stud and a detachable connection between said movable stud and said spring, said detachable connection compris ing axially placed engaging parts on the stud and on the end of the spring. Y

9. A tubular casing having one end provided with a closure made in two parts, one of which has a threaded annular recess and vv.the other of which has a threaded rim adapted to it into said recess, said rim being provided with an annular recess substantially concentric with and back, of the threaded part of the rim.

10. The combination of a tubular sleeve of insulating material, fuse terminals at one end of said sleeve, one of said terminals lying within the upper end of said sleeve, a fuse between saidterminals, a spring in said tubular member adapted to draw said terminal down into the sleeve and a rigid screw conneotlon between said terminal and spring, said connection' being readily\ detachable when said terminal has been drawn down .i prising a short into the sleeve. l

11. In combination, a liquid director comprising a short cylindrical block of insulating material having a central aperture therethrough, apshort rod or stud passing through said director and connected thereto, the lower end of the rod or stud being threaded, a spring below said liquid director, a connecting member having'a threaded socket therein for receiving the end of the rod or stud, sai member bein mounted on the end of the spring substantially axially of said spring, and a flexible conductor connected to said member.

12. In a fuse device, a terminal member comrod or stud of metal having K said tubular member normallyy under tension and conbeing adapted having its iig/zeges? screw threads at its lower ends, a liquid director comprising a short cylindrical block of non-conducting material having a jet opening for causing liquid to flow against vthe other end of the rod orstud and a crossbar passing through the rod o r stud and supporting the liquid director.

13. lln combination, a cylindrical sleeve, a cap at each end of said sleeve, a coil spring secured at one end tothe lower cap, a terminal comprising a metallic stud yadapted to be connected by a fuse tothe upper cap, said stud having its lower end threaded, a liquid director mounted on said stud, and a threaded socket secured to the upper end of said spring, said stud being adapted to have its threaded part removably engaged in said socket and to be readily removable when the' stud and liquid director have been drawn down into the sleeve by said spring.

14. ln combination a sleeve of insulating material, a metallic cap permanently secured about the lower end of said sleeve, said cap closing off the end of the sleeve to orm a liquid tight vessel, a metallic band surrounding the upper end of the sleeve, a terminal in the upper end of said sleeve, said terminal t0 be connected electrically through a fuse to said n'ietallic band, a spring lower end permanently secured to the cap and a connecting upper end of said spring, said terminal and member at the said connecting member having cooperating parts forming a readily separable connection to permit yrenewal of the fuse after the same has blown and after the terminal has been drawn down into the sleeve.

15; Avfuse device provided with a metallic fuse soldered to a metallic terminal by low melting point solder, said fuse and termina being connected to metallic parts of good heat conductivity. said device being so organized that on moderate overload said solder will soften and cause operation of the device, and on excessive rmelt.

16. In a fuse device, a metallic terminal of high conductivity, a metallic fuse, said terminal and fuse being joined by solder which melts at a substantially lower-temperature than the body of the fuse, 'and means tending to separate the terminal and the. fuse.

17.' In a fusedevice, a metallic terminal of high conductivity, a metallic fuse, said terminal and fuse being joi ed by solder which melts at a substantially lower temperature than the body of the fuse, and means tending to separate the terminal and the fuse, the soldered j'oint between the fuse and the terminal being of greater area than the area of cross section of the fuse.

18. A fuse device providedv with a metallic fusel soldered directly to a metallic terminal of relatively large carrying capacity by solder of lower melting point than that of overload, said fuse wil l iio 1,299,387 v f .B

the body ofthe fuse or of the terminal, said In witness whereof, We hereunto Subscribe 10 junction between said fuse-and said terminal our names this 22nd dey of December, A D. being adapted to be heated solely by vthe 1914. y i

passage of current through said parts, said EDMND O SCHWEITZER device being so organized that on moderate overload said solder Will 'soften and cause NICHOLAS J' CONRAD' operation of'the device and upon excessive Witnesses: overload, said lfuse will melt to cause opera.- A. LYDA JONES, tion of the device. HAzEL A. JONES. 

